Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Vacaville, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Lisbon: $2,202 a month against $3,635 in Vacaville, CA, rent and utilities included – about $17,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Lisbon
🇵🇹 Portugal
$2,202
/mo nomad
Vacaville, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,635
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lisbon and in Vacaville, CA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Lisbon and in Vacaville, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,202 in Lisbon versus $3,635 in Vacaville, CA.

  • Lisbon $2,202
  • Vacaville, CA $3,635

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,274 in Lisbon versus $4,771 in Vacaville, CA.

  • Lisbon $3,274
  • Vacaville, CA $4,771

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,346 in Lisbon versus $5,907 in Vacaville, CA.

  • Lisbon $4,346
  • Vacaville, CA $5,907

Living in Lisbon costs roughly 39% less than in Vacaville, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon 62% above, Vacaville, CA 168% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.04 €15.15
$20.25 $20.25
-15.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.3 €55.4
$45.54 $45.54
36.78%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.02 €9.80
$13.24 $13.24
-16.77%
Cappuccino
$3.12 €2.78
$5.98 $5.98
-47.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 €2.02
$3.11 $3.11
-27.01%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74 €1.55
$2.75 $2.75
-36.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.42 €3.04
$7.13 $7.13
-52.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74 €3.33
$6.94 $6.94
-46.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.17 €1.04
$1.70 $1.70
-31.18%
White Bread (500g)
$1.86 €1.66
$4.83 $4.83
-61.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.54 €1.37
$4.89 $4.89
-68.51%
Eggs
$4.06 €3.61
$4.85 $4.85
-16.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.91 €11.49
$16.50 $16.50
-21.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.90 €7.03
$15.34 $15.34
-48.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.64 €15.69
$22.83 $22.83
-22.73%
Apples (1kg)
$2.26 €2.01
$6.09 $6.09
-62.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 €1.55
$1.93 $1.93
-9.33%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.89 €1.68
$4.06 $4.06
-53.45%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.56 €2.27
$6.76 $6.76
-62.13%
Potato (1kg)
$1.85 €1.64
$3.03 $3.03
-38.94%
Onion (1kg)
$1.97 €1.75
$3.60 $3.60
-45.28%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.45 €1.29
$2.80 $2.80
-48.21%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 €0.69
$2.63 $2.63
-70.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.71 €5.97
$12.09 $12.09
-44.50%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.67 €5.04
$14.43 $14.43
-60.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37 €1.22
$3.08 $3.08
-55.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 €1.88
$3.65 $3.65
-42.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.32 €2.07
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$44.43 €39.52
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.95 €3.51
$4.26 $4.26
-7.28%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.05 €0.93
$2.07 $2.07
-49.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$17.15 €15.26
$38.61 $38.61
-55.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.19 €1.95
$1.51 $1.51
45.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.8K €30.0K
$34.8K $34.8K
-2.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.3K €34.0K
$26.0K $26.0K
47.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$164 €146
$211 $211
-22.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.48 €16.43
$60.3 $60.3
-69.34%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.96 €29.32
$76.8 $76.8
-57.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.87 €40.80
$45.20 $45.20
1.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.68 €16.61
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.75 €8.67
$17.82 $17.82
-45.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$684 €608
$2,963 $2,963
-76.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.6K €15.7K
$43.1K $43.1K
-59.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 €92.3
$74.7 $74.7
38.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.20 €41.09
$48.57 $48.57
-4.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.7 €88.7
$101 $101
-1.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125 €111
$141 $141
-11.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,589 €1,414
$2,349 $2,349
-32.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,169 €1,040
$2,179 $2,179
-46.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,851 €2,536
$2,901 $2,901
-1.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,993 €1,773
$2,865 $2,865
-30.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,793 €6,932
$3,750 $3,750
107.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,418 €3,930
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Vacaville, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,600 €1,423
$5,315 $5,315
-69.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.85
6.76
-43.05%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Lisbon: October 19, 2026

Last update for Vacaville, CA: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
$1.2K
Vacaville, CA
$2.2K 86.4% $1K
Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
$273
Vacaville, CA
$502 83.7% $229
Eating Out
Lisbon
$247
Vacaville, CA
$346 40% $99
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
$215
Vacaville, CA
$348 61.7% $133
Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
$168
Vacaville, CA
$164 2.6% $4.3
Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
$65
Vacaville, CA
$81 23.7% $15
Getting Around
Lisbon
$63
Vacaville, CA
$15 * 76.8% $48

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,589 in Lisbon and $2,349 in Vacaville, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Vacaville, CA pays 232% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $62.0 in Lisbon vs $46.00 in Vacaville, CA. Groceries flip the comparison at $273 vs $502, with Lisbon cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇵🇹 Lisbon
🇺🇸 Vacaville, CA
🕒 Local time
12:37 12:37 PM
04:37 4:37 AM
8 h behind Lisbon
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
545,923 Capital
100,670
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD to EUR – Euro Converter

Euro exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 0.889 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Lisbon Vacaville, CA 9,050 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Lisbon
  • Vacaville, CA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Lisbon vs Vacaville, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Vacaville, CA?
Lisbon and Vacaville, CA differ by about 65% in total monthly costs ($2,202 vs $3,635 including rent). Lisbon is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 232% lower in Vacaville, CA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and in Vacaville, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,589 in Lisbon versus $2,349 in Vacaville, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 84% higher in Vacaville, CA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Vacaville, CA?
All in, you'll spend $2,202 per month in Lisbon versus $3,635 in Vacaville, CA – a 65% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,202 in Lisbon versus $3,635 in Vacaville, CA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Vacaville, CA. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Vacaville, CA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Vacaville, CA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Vacaville, CA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Lisbon or Vacaville, CA?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 65% less than in Vacaville, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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